Family owned and operated
Accuform Signs makes signs and other products that inform, protect and motivate employees in the workplace.
"The products are designed to help people think more about being safe," says CEO Wayne Johnson.
The company was founded by Johnson’s parents, Ron and Veronica Johnson in 1976. Originally in New Port Richey, they began with just one type of custom product. Since then, the company has grown to 296 employees and a three-building campus in Brooksville.
Wayne Johnson began working for the company in a sales role in 1977 and eventually worked his way up the ranks to CEO. He is also Managing Partner, along with his brother David.
He is the recent recipient of Ernst & Young’s 2013 Entrepreneur of the Year Award, in the Family Business category.
"We’re really a big, giant family so it was kind of appropriate to be in that category," says Johnson.
The award was based on a successful track record, as indicated by the company’s doubling in size every five years. "Hernando has been a great place for us to accomplish a lot of that growth because of the strong workforce availability," says Johnson.
Other award criteria included financial stability. The company was able to finance most of its growth without incurring debt and is currently exporting products to Canada, Mexico and Latin America.
A third criteria was culture and company environment. The company has been nominated for and won several “best places to work” awards locally because of its strong commitment to its employees.
Accuform's newest products focus on lock out tag out safety. These products help people control hazardous energy, such as locking out power while certain equipment is being used. They’re also developing new graphic materials that can cling to any surface -- even concrete block walls.
The company is planning another expansion with a 304,000 feet facility in 2014.
Writer:
Megan Hendricks
Source: Wayne Johnson, Accuform Signs
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